This spring, a new multi-year clean energy workforce initiative meant to support disadvantaged communities kicks off in Westchester County.
The goal is to connect residents of state-designated disadvantaged communities with paid training and long-term careers in heat pump installation and home performance — part of the growing clean energy and building-performance sectors in the county and state.
The initiative, announced in early February, is led by Healthy Home Academy, in partnership with Sustainable Westchester and supported by the New York Power Authority, and is called “The Healthy Home Academy Heat Pump and Home Performance Training Program.” It will recruit, train, and place 123 participants over the next two years, supporting individuals as they move from training into full-time jobs, apprenticeships, or internships in the sectors.
“We crafted this new program to create a pipeline of folks who can take on these roles,” says Cat Sayles, chief operating officer of Sustainable Westchester, who will help lead recruitment efforts. “The clean energy economy is expanding, and we need workers to help fill the need.”
Supporting the Clean Energy Boom
According to the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority’s latest data, New York’s clean energy industry gained over 6,000 jobs in 2024, marking another year of steady growth. Clean energy jobs in New York grew at a faster rate than the broader state economy and exceeded the national average. The building decarbonization and energy efficiency sector added the most jobs, followed by renewable power generation and grid modernization and storage.
This new initiative is the latest in Westchester County’s efforts to support the industry, adding to the series of clean energy career fairs that have been held over the years. This, though, will be the first time that this partnership comes together to help create actual training opportunities, instead of just job placement. It’s a crucial need laid out by contractors who are looking for more workers for different jobs.
“This program is about opening doors for people who have too often been left out of the clean energy economy,” said Noam Bramson, Sustainable Westchester’s executive director, in a press release. “Recruiting and placing more than 100 people into clean energy careers is ambitious by design—building on our experience connecting residents to opportunities and real career pathways. By integrating paid training, robust industry partnerships, and practical support for participants, we are helping to create stable, in-demand career pathways that prepare workers for the future.”
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Inside the Training
The training will happen in nearby Brewster at Healthy Home Academy’s facilities. It’s an intensive five-week program that combines classroom instruction, lab work, and field experience. Participants will choose one of the two industry-aligned training pathways: heat pump installation, which is focused on sizing, installing, servicing, and maintaining high-efficiency heat pump systems, preparing graduates to step directly into in-demand HVAC roles, or home/building performance, which is focused on building science, energy efficiency, and healthy homes practices, equipping participants to improve comfort, energy use, and indoor air quality in existing homes.
The program is meant to emphasize long-term career success, not just first-job placement. Graduates will receive follow-up support at one month, six months, and one year after placement to track job stability, satisfaction, and advancement.
“We’re ready to work with them and help them get placed in a well-paying career,” shares Sayles.
Sustainable Westchester, a nonprofit organization that leads the region in meeting the urgent challenges of climate change, is overseeing community outreach and recruitment, working closely with municipalities, schools, community-based organizations, and faith-based partners serving disadvantaged communities.
“We are looking for folks from disadvantaged backgrounds who wouldn’t have access to free training like this,” says Sayles.
Priority is given to recent high school graduates and adults seeking a career change, though other motivated applicants are welcome. Sayles notes that the first cohort consists of all different people, including those who are leaving retail and the restaurant industry, to name a couple. She suspects that as we approach high school graduation season, interest will increase, especially among people who are looking to get into the trade industry.
There is no tuition cost for participants, with training fully covered by the program. Additional support is also available, including modest food and transportation stipends to help reduce financial and logistical barriers.
The first cohort will meet three times a week between 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., but night training will also be offered to accommodate different schedules for future cohorts.
The goal is that everyone who leaves the program will be paired with employers for potential job opportunities. “That is the intention and purpose of this program,” notes Sayles. “We don’t want people to just go through training. It’s about creating a pipeline for contractors in Westchester and across New York State to fill these roles.”
Next Steps
For more information or to apply, visit the program’s website.
Related: Westchester Organizations Offer Clean Energy Training and Networking
